Oh no, that was actually from Sicilian. I was just pointing out what my main opening was to show that even if you don’t know the theory, you can still sort of see where the pieces are.
Blindfold chess
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Mar 16, 2023
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#3
Bb5 against the french is usually not a good idea, Bd3 instead is much better...
Blindfold chess is definitely the most useful chess variant that is there. It is not about memorising all the previous moves, but where your pieces are. Of course, try not to accidentally flip the board around (like ChatGPT or me when trying to say moves), but other than that, even remembering where the pieces are (let alone tactics!) can be rather difficult. So how do you do that more easily?
1. Pawn Structure
Try to remember what pawn structure you have as much as you can. This is because certain pawn structures help pieces more than others and you will be able to remember where certain pieces are because of this. For instance, let's take the following position below:
Well, I have not added black's pawn structure, but let's say you have gotten this pawn structure. Just by looking at it, the first thing you can say is that the light-B belongs to g2, so you probably have a fianchettoed B there, or on f3 if there has been a capture where you took with the B. If it is just a B on g2, then being a fianchetto, there is probably a N on f3 too. The Q side is a little more trickier, but where would your Rs belong in this position? That's right! c1 and d1. Perhaps there is already a Q on d1, but you vaguely at least know what your plan is too (another benefit). The Q-side N is a little trickier as d7 and c6 both seem valid squares. However, an N on c6 controls more of the centre. Finally, the B. The other B could also fianchetto on b2. Now you have a vague idea of where your pieces might be!
OK. I am a catalan player so I know the placement of these pieces better, but let's say we take a middle game position from the sicillian (I am a french player).
Ok, so again the first thing appears to be that the dark-B for black has fianchettoed, and black has castled K side. They are now launching an attack on the Q side while you attack on the K side. So plans sorted now. You probably still have probably moved the N or traded it at some point and it is no longer on d4 due to heavy pressure. You have probably castled Q side too and have a N on c3 from the opening. You probably plan to join the other R to g1 if you have not already done so, and you perhaps have a Q on d7 or e7 as you tried castling Q side. You probably have a B on e3 and one on d3 too...
As you can see, you will have a vague idea as to where your pieces are.
2. Pattern recognition
So now there is the following pawn structure (not showing the whole board):
There is a weak d5 square in your opponent's territory. So, how must you have dealt with it? Yes. Outposting an N there. It is very unlikely a B got in there, and perhaps maybe a Q or a R got in, but the Ns are generally the best pieces to outpost. Well, it was an incredibly weak square, but keep common patterns like these in your mind when playing out positions. You should also keep common tactical patterns too in your mind, but in my view, it is much easier to see positional patterns (still look for these though!).
Also learning patterns from your opening is quite useful. e.g in the sequence below:
Learning these, especially in sharp openings, can be very useful. I would also therefore say that knowing how your opening looks (including plans) is very useful.
3. Knowing the colour of the squares
Diagonals are the hardest things to visualise. Ns can be tricky but I somehow find them much easier to visualise than diagonals. Instead of remembering the diagonals, remember the colour of the square. a1 is a dark square, and that is actually the only square you need to remember the colour of. To remember the colour of a square, I do it like this:
a = odd
b = even
c = odd
...
1 = odd
2 = even
3 = odd
...
Then, add coordinate 1 with coordinate 2. Odd + Odd = Even, Even + Odd = Odd, ...
If the final result is Even, it is a dark square. If the final result is even, it is a light square.
From this, you can see diagonals much more clearly
I hope it helps
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